Labor groups ask Supreme Court to scrap EDCA

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - Local labor groups have joined the clamor for the Supreme Court to scrap the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) signed by the Philippines and the United States for being unconstitutional.

Labor groups led by Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) and the Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement (COURAGE) said the government of Philippine President Benigno Aquino III violated the 1987 Constitution when it forged the military pact with Washington last April.

In their petition, the groups said EDCA breaches the provisions of the Philippine Constitution pertaining to national sovereignty, territorial integrity and interest and the ban on nuclear weapons.

"EDCA means the massive deployment of US military troops and weaponry into the country unprecedented since World War II," the petitioners said.

The labor groups asked the Supreme Court to issue a temporary restraining order to stop the implementation of EDCA pending its deliberations on the petitions.

Two other petitions seeking to declare the EDCA as unconstitutional have been previously filed before the Philippine Supreme Court.

The Philippine government had been directed by the high court to respond to the two petitions.